Describe Body Shapes in Chinese

News Flashback

Miss Nevada USA Nia Sanchez took the crown in the Miss USA 2014 Pageant, but it was Miss Indiana USA Mekayla Diehl, 25, who set the media and social community on fire. Diehl’s 30 seconds on stage at Miss USA 2014 pageant result in a flood of comments on Twitter, Facebook. “Finally a contestant that is not a bag of bones” a fan posted on Twitter. Another fan shared on Facebook “Dear Miss Indiana, thank you for looking like an average woman.”

Miss Indiana USA Mekayla Diehl set media on fire

All fans are praising Miss Indiana USA 2014 Diehl for having a “normal” body instead of a beautiful look. But wait a minute… Is her body really “normal”?

Learn Chinese words for different body types

How to Describe Women’s Body Shapes in Chinese?

骨瘦如柴 (ɡǔ shòu rú chái)

This word is used to describe a woman who is skinny. Literally, "骨" means “bones”； "瘦" means “thin”; "如" means “to be like”; "柴" means “firewood”, which is an important material people use to get warmth from in rural China. "骨瘦如柴的" women are a bag of bones and do not look beautiful or healthy.

苗条 (miáotiao)

"苗条" means "slim" in Chinese. It is used to describe women with nice body figures. A "苗条的" figure is neither too fat nor skinny and looks curvy and healthy.

性感 (xìnɡ ɡǎn)

火辣 (huǒ là)

Both of these words have the meaning of being sexy and hot. “性感的” or “火辣的” women are sexually attractive and always gain a high rate of “second glance” on the streets.

丰满 (fēnɡ mǎn)

The characters "丰" and "满" both have the meaning of being full and round. This is a "polite" way to describe someone who is overweight but not obese. A "丰满的" woman is full and round and her body is well-developed.

胖 (pànɡ)

This single character is used to describe a person who is overweight and looks unhealthy. Be careful when you use this word, because some people, especially women, are sensitive to being said “胖”.